by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga
In today's world, brimming with people seeking hope and direction, your words hold immense power. They can comfort, inspire, and transform lives. But even the most heartfelt and divinely inspired messages require a platform to effectively reach those who need to hear it.
First, don’t get overwhelmed. You can’t complete all these tasks at once. It takes time. Writing is a journey. So create a marketing plan and plot what you plan to accomplish.
These 10 steps to build an author platform will help extend your reach.
- 1. Eye-Catching Web Presence: Your website, which serves a your online home, should be easily found by your audience. Has your website been optimized it for Google and does it include all the necessary sections? Can your readers easily find your social media icons on your website? Is your website ranking for keywords on Google?
- 2. Inspiring Lead Magnets: Have you created a compelling offer that encourages viewers to subscribe? If not, brainstorm and create a handout. A time-delayed pop-up should entice your viewer to snag your gift. Share your lead magnet when writing guest blogs to gain more subscribers.
- 3. Email Journeys of Faith: Develop a powerful email sequence that engages and inspires your subscribers. First, create a welcome sequence along with your gift. Tell your story to your reader. Share your experience so they know who you are and how you can help them. It’s like sitting down and connecting with a friend. This builds a relationship with your subscriber, so they trust you.
- 4. Social Media as a Ministry: Master two key platforms to spread your words like seeds of faith. Where do your readers hang out? I can find my readers, 40–70-year-old women, on Facebook rather than Instagram. Engage with your audience when they comment on your post. Ask them a question and keep the conversation going. When you do, the platform shows your post to more of your friends.
- 5. Blogging with Purpose: Share your insights and testimonies to magnify your message. Regularly posting new content improves your website’s search engine ranking over time. Add Pinterest pins to each blog to drive more traffic to your website. Pinterest is more than a social media site; it is a search engine. It brings more traffic to my website than all my other social media combined.
- 6. Shine on Amazon Author Central: Enhance your visibility where readers and seekers converge. Complete your profile. Add your new book to your account. Check your book sales rank.
- 7. Expanding Horizons: Establish your author presence on Goodreads and BookBub to further connect with readers. Claim your author profile, add your social media, and join relevant groups. Giveaways provide the unique advantage.
- 8. Marketing through Service: Write guest blogs and magazine articles to serve others while spreading your message. Using other established websites gets your work seen by more readers, but writing for websites that have a low search engine presence does not. Learn how to tell the difference.
- 9. Broadcast Your Voice: Learn the techniques for finding and pitching to podcasts and radio shows. Find a curated list of shows (CIPA.Podia.com has List of 100 Radio & Podcast Media by genre). Listen to the podcast and pitch an idea that the show hasn’t discussed in the past year.
- 10. Speaking: Research conferences, events, and churches for speaking opportunities. There are many great venues to share your message through speaking engagements once you do the research.
With these practical steps, you will not only grow your followers, but also deepen your impact in their lives. Your marketing isn't just about building a platform; it's about constructing a digital pulpit. The world needs your voice now more than ever.
Extend your reach by working on one item on this list at a time. You’ve probably got many of these pieces in place. Which ones will you embark on next? Set up a plan to project your ministry’s message of faith, hope, and love.
If you need further instruction, take the Course: 10 Steps to Building Your Author Platform at https://cipa.podia.com/. This intensive goes beyond the basics of platform building. With the practical steps provided, you won't just grow your audience; you'll deepen your impact in their lives!
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Great information, thanks!
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